Machine for shaping shoe uppers



Nov. 23, 1954 w uc 2,694,821

MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed Jan. 26, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 23, 1954 A. D. WILLHAUCK MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1952 fr) uerzzol Augustus D. Wil/h aucK Nov. 23, 1954 w ug 2,694,821

MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed Jan. 26, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 232 226 L 222 i R 226 234 I j v 220 f i T 240 i M 244 lrzuenzor Augusius D. Willhauck 3/ his ttorn Nov. 23, 1954 A. D. WILLHAUCK 2,694,821

- MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed Jan. 26, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lrwemfm 1954 A. D. WILLHAUCK MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 26, 1952 [n uerz zaw Augustus D. Wil/hauc/f \NNNNNNNR United States Patent MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Augustus D. Willhauck, Stoneham, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application January 26, 1952, Serial No. 268,410

35 Claims. (Cl. 1297) This invention relates to machines for shaping shoe uppers having closed heel portions and is illustrated herein, by way of example, as embodied in a machine for shaping or molding the back part of a closed upper for use in the manufacture of stitchdown shoes and also for forming an outturned flange on the lower marginof the back part of the upper. In certain aspects, however, the invention is not limited to machines for operating upon uppers for stitchdown shoes but is applicable more generally to machines for forming inturned flanges on shoe uppers or other shoe parts. Moreover, in certain other aspects, the invention relates to mechanisms and combinations applicable to machines other than machines for operating upon shoes, shoe uppers, or other shoe parts.

In the manufacture of shoes of the stitchdown type having closed uppers, it is desirable that the rear portion or back part of the upper, including the quarter lining and a heel end stiffener or counter, if used, be shaped. or molded to conform substantially to the shape desired in the finished shoe and also that the lower margin of the back part of the upper, including the counter and lining, be flanged outwardly before the upper is mounted on a last. This permits the rear portion of the upper to be positioned more accurately on the last and also provides a permanent outturned flange around the lower edge of the upper which greatly facilitates the performance of subsequent operations upon the shoe, particularly, operations such as the stitchdown lasting operation.

A machine for performing a back part shaping and flanging operation on a shoe upper is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,379,425 granted July 3, 1945 on the application of Ren E. Duplessis. An important object of the present invention is to provide an improved machine of that type for shaping shoe uppers which, while retaining the advantages and benefits of a machine such as that disclosed in the patent referred to, and of other machines adapted for this purpose, will be faster and more eflicient in its operation than prior machines and yet will be simpler in construction and more economical to build.

With these objects in view, the invention provides, in accordance with one feature, an improved two-station machine for shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for shaping an end portion of an upper, members for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portion, fluid pressure means for actuating said molds and means responsive to pressure exerted on the upper I by said molds for thereafter causing said fluid pressure means to actuate the flange forming members. As herein illustrated, the molds comprise inner and outer members or forms arranged to clamp the back part of the upper between them and mold it to the desired shape under substantial pressure. The flange forming members consist of fingers or wipers which move outwardly and rearwardly, after the molds have clamped the upper,

and bend the lower margin of the upper outwardly to form a flange thereon around the entire rear portion of i the upper. After the above operations have taken place, the flange formers are moved heightwise toward the molds to press the outturned flange forcibly against the lower faces of the outer molds and thereby mold the flange so that it will remain permanently in a predetermined angular position relatively to the remainder of the back part of the upper.

In accordance with the present invention, as in the machine of the patent referred to, it is necessary that the operations mentioned above take place in the sequence or order named, that is, that the upper be gripped first by the molds to clamp and shape the back part, that the lower margin of the back part be next bent to form the flange and, finally, that the molding pressure be applied to the flange to mold the latter permanently in its bent position and also to form a sharp, well-defined crease on the outer surface of the upper along the line where the flange bends outwardly.

The fluid pressure means for actuating the molds and the flange forming members, as herein illustrated, includes pistons arranged to move the molds and flange formers into and out of operative engagement with the work piece, the pistons being reciprocated in cylinders by pressure fluid supplied to the cylinders by a hydraulic um p Tli e means for controlling the operation of the fluid pressure means for actuating the molds and flange forming members comprises, in accordance with another feature of the invention, means responsive to the pressures exerted on the work piece by the molds and flange forming members for automatically controlling the sequence of the operations performed by these operating instrumentalities. As illustrated herein, the controlling means consists of a series of valves in each station of the ma chine constructed and arranged to cause the fluid pressure actuated means, including the pistons, to operate the molds first to shape the upper, to operate the flange formers next to bend the marginal flange thereon, and finally to cause the flange formers to move heightwise of the molds toward the upper to apply heavy molding pressure to the flange, these valves, as stated, being responsive to pressures exerted on the upper by the molds and flange formers when the valves are controlling the sequence of operations of said elements through the operation of their respective fluid pressure operated means.

In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the automatic controlling means, as illustrated, is adapted not only to regulate the sequence of operations of the station being operated or put under pressure, but is also constructed and arranged automatically to control the timing or sequence of the return of the operating instrumentalities to their inoperative or retracted positions, thereby insuring against damage to the work by reason of the return of the operating elements to inoperative position in the wrong order. Specifically, the controlling means causes the flange formers to be withdrawn from pressure applying position before the formers are moved forwardly and toward each other to their initial or inoperative position, thereby insuring that the flange formers will be out of contact with the molded flange when they are moved into their inoperative positron.

In accordance with still another feature of the invention, means is provided in the present machine for preventing damage to the upper, or the outturned flange thereon, by the flange forming members in cases where the upper happens to be thicker than a normal upper or the upper for which the machine was initially adjusted or set. As herein illustrated, this means is automatic in its operation and consists in the provision of a yield in the hydraulically operated piston which ap plies molding pressure to the outturned flange, this yield permitting the flange formers to move away from the mold when operating upon a thick upper, or one in which the combined thicknesses of the quarter lining, outer layer and counter are greater than the thickness for which the flange formers were originally set to oper ate upon. Since the automatic means which controls the operation of the fluid pressure actuated means of the machine, namely, the series of sequence valves above referred to, insures that the piston which moves the flange formers outwardly and rearwardly of the molds, will operate before the piston which causes the formers to apply molding pressure to the flange, the yield in the pressure applying piston, if any, will necessarily take place before this latter piston is actuated by pressure fluid to apply molding pressure to the flange, thereby permitting the piston to yield under spring pressure before the non-yielding fluid medium takes control of the piston.

With the above and other objects and features in -view, the invention will now be described in connection with the accompanying drawings and will thereafter be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a side elevation of a. machinev embodying the present invention with parts brokenaway or shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of portions of the operating instrumentalities of the machine, those in the right-hand station being shown in full and'those in the left-hand station having parts removed or shown in section to illustrate details;

'Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the main control valve of the machine including connections to solenoids which operate the valve, an electrical'circuit for energizing the solenoids being also shown diagrammatically;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a bleeder .valve which is provided near the top of each station for eliminating air from the hydraulic system;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic mechanism of both stations of the machine, including two sets of pressure control or sequence valves associated with the two stations, both stations of the illustrating the work engaging portions of the flange forming-mechanism operating on the work.

The illustrated machine is a two-station fluid pressure operated machine for molding and shaping the back part or quarter portion of a closed shoe upper and for bending the lower margin of the backpart outwardly at an acute angle to the molded portion to provide an overmolded outturned flange which will adapt the up per to be used in the manufacture of stitchdown shoes. The machine is provided with operating instrumentalities in each station which include molds for shaping the back part of the upper, and members for forming a flange on the lower margin thereof, these instrumentalities being substantially the same in construction and operation as the operating instrumentalities illustrated in the Duplessis patent No. 2,379,425 referred to above.

Since these operating instrumentalities are fully disclosed in the patent referred to, they will not be de scribed in detail herein but will only be described in suflicient detail to render clear their construction and operation, including any modifications of the mechanism described in the patent which have been made to adapt the operating instrumentalities more particularly to the hydraulic power mechanism of the machine, which is entirely new in a machine of this type.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the machinc'is provided with a base 20 and a frame 22 at the upper'portion'of which are mounted, at an angle of substantially 45 to the horizontal, the operating instrumentalities referred to. As disclosed in the Duplessis patent, these instru- .mentalities comprise an inner heel form or mold 24, a

pair of outer heel molds '26 and 'a-pair of flange forming members or wipers '28 constructed and arranged, after the inner and outer molds 24 and 26 have clamped the heel portion of the upper, to move outwardly and rearwardly relatively to said molds to bend the lower margin of the back part outwardly against 'thebottom surface of the outer mold 126. The flange forming members are arranged thereafter to moveheightwise of the molds to compress or.mold the 'outturned flange against the bottom surface of the outer heel molds. The inner mold 24 is mounted on an upward extension 29 on a supporting plate .30 which, inturn,

is pivoted on the frame 22 by pins 32, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the forward end ofthe plate 30 resting by gravity on a stationaryportion of the frame.

The outer heel molds 26 are secured by screws to blocks 34 slidably mounted on a carrier 35 having-an upwardly extending arcuate tongue 36 '(Fig. 2) which fits into similarly shaped grooves in the blocks 34, the center of curvature of said tongue being located substantially at the meeting point of the work engaging surface of the molds 26 so that there will be no appreciableopenwhenthe-latter are closed or operated.

ating the machine.

ing between the work engaging surfaces of the molds T he carrier '35 is fastened by means of a; plate 38 (Fig. 2) to the forward end of a piston rod 40, the weight of the carrier and the molds 26 being supported by a plate 42 (Fig. l) secured to a stationary portion of the frame 22. The carrier 35 is slidable in a guideway formed on the plate 42, as best shown in Fig. 1.

The outer heel molds 26 are shown in their open position at the right side of Fig. 2. These forms are closed around the heel portion or back part of an upper mounted on the inner mold 24 .by forward movement of a hollow piston 44 in substantially the same manner as disclosed in the Duplessis patent above referred to. That is to say, the piston 44 is provided at its forward end with a crosshead 46, the opposite ends of which are pivotally connected by adjustable links 48 to ears on the upper portions of the blocks 34. The molds are normally 'held in the open position shown in Fig. 2 by a spring 50 surrounding the piston rod 40 and confined between an adjustable collar 52 on the piston rod and the base of a 'recess in the front portion of the hollow piston 44. The normal or expanded position of the spring 50 is desliding fit in the chamber of a cylinder 58 which is secured to the frameby screws 60 as shown in Fig. l. The inner end of the portion 56 of the'piston is enlarged, as shown in Fig. 5. at 62, sothat it forms a piston sliding in the hollow cylinder 58. The cylinder 58 is connected by a plurality of pipe lines to the hydraulic or fluid pressure system of the machine which supplies the power for oper- Before describing the operation of the outer heel molds 26 through the actuation of the hol- 'low'piston 44 in the cylinder'58, a description of the construction of theother operating instrumentalities of the machine will be given 1n order to provide a clear understanding of the operation of the hydraulic mechanismas it actuates the. several operating instrumentalities in-azpredetermined time sequence. Accordingly, a brief description of the construction of the flange forming memhers-28 will be given, reference being had to the Duplessis patent mentionedv above for a detailed description of such members.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the flange forming members 28 are mounted on carrier plates 64 which, in turn, are slidably mounted ona bed plate 66, the flange formers being held on'the bed plateby holddown plates 68. The bed plates 66- of each-station are formed on the upper ends of piston rods as will be presently explained. The flange formers are connected together by a halved joint 70 and .their operativemovements are controlled by rolls 72 mounted onthe bed plates 66 and arranged to operate in arcuate slots 74: in the carrier plates. The flange formers 28 are moved laterally of the molds into opened and .closed positions by a piston 76 (Fig. 5) formed on the its forward end the piston rod 78 carries a crosspiece 84 having upstanding portions at its opposite ends. These upstandingportions are connected by a pair of links 86 having ball-and-socket connections to the rearward or upper portions of the carrier plates 64. The crosspiece 84 has a downwardly projecting T-shaped lug thereon which has a sliding fit in a guideway 88 formed in a forwardly projecting portion 90 of the cylinder 80. Forward :and rearward reciprocation of the piston 76 in the cylinder 80, therefore, will open and close the flange forming members 28 laterally'of the molds about the joint 70 by reason of the connection of the crosspiece 84 to the carriers 64 by the links 86, the path of movement of the flange formers being determined by the rolls 72 in the arcuate slots 74. The cylinder 80 has a plurality of con nections to the hydraulic or fluid pressure mechanism of the machine similarly to the cylinder 58. Before describing these connections in detail, the construction of mechanism'for'applying molding'pressure substantially at right angles to theplane of the flange on the lower margin of the back part of the upper will be described.

As illustrated in the Duplessis patent, the flange forming members 28 are secured in the carrier plates 64 by locking pins 92 (Fig. 7) which bind against stems 94 projecting downwardly from the lower sides of the formers. The flange formers also have secured thereto by screws angular plates 96 which, as illustrated in Fig. 6,

serve as gages for determining the heightwise position of the back part of an upper when it is mounted on the inner mold 24. As illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, the inner mold 24 has an angular recess or groove 98 formed around its lower edge which, as explained in the Duplessis patent, assists in forming the outturned flange on the upper and especially in molding a well-defined crease at the base of the flange. As stated above, the flange formers are located in their closed or inoperative position as illustrated in Fig. 6, and they are swung outwardly into an open position about their joint 70 by rearward movement of the piston 76 in the cylinder 80, this action taking place after the outer molds 26 have clamped the back part of the upper against the inner mold 24. After the flange formers 28 have moved rearwardly and outwardly and bent the lower margin of the upper outwardly to form an outturned flange thereon, as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 8, the formers are moved upwardly or heightwise of the molds to compress the outturned flange against an inclined lower surface on the outer molds 26, this surface, as shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, slanting upwardly at an angle of about 30 to the horizontal in order to overmold the flange so that when it reacts, after the pressure has been relieved, it will assume a position which is substantially horizontal when the upper is located in an upright position, as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9. The molding pressure is applied height wise to the flange on the upper by fluid pressure actuated mechanism which is best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. The bed plate 66 in each station of the machine (Fig. 2) is formed on the upper end of a piston rod 100 which is mounted in a cylinder 102 secured by screws to the frame 22, the cylinder being located substantially at right angles to the plane of the flange formers which, as explained above, is approximately 45 to the horizontal, as viewed from the front of the machine.

Each piston rod 100 has an enlarged lower portion 104 (Fig. 5) which is hollow and has a sliding fit in the upper portion of a chamber in the cylinder 102. At the lower end of this enlarged portion 104 is an annular flange 105 to which is secured by screws a piston 106 which fits into a lower enlarged portion 108 of the chamber in the cylinder. Below the enlarged portion 108 of the chamber is a reduced portion 110 which, as shown in Fig. 5, has a somewhat larger portion 112 at its lower end. The piston 106 is normally urged downwardly in the chamber 108 of the cylinder by a plurality of relatively light compression springs 114 seated in holes in the cylinder and hearing against the upper face of the piston. In order to locate the piston initially in a predetermined position heightwise of the cylinder, and also to permit the flange forming members to yield heightwise of the molds when operating upon different thicknesses of upper materials when, for example, the flange formers are being moved laterally of the molds to bend the marginal portion of the back part outwardly to form the flange thereon, a cylindrical positioning member 116 is provided at the lower end of the cylinder, this member being mounted in the cylinder in such a manner that it may be adjusted heightwise thereof, as will be later explained.

The upper portion of the positioning member 116 has a sliding fit in the reduced portion 110 of the chamber in the cylinder. The member 116 is provided at its upper end with a central projection 120 surrounded by a space or groove 122. A hollow spring-retaining cup or tube 124 is mounted in the groove 122 and is retained therein by a plurality of transverse pins 126 secured in the member 116 and extending into elongated slots in the lower portion of the tube. A relatively heavy spring 128 is mounted inside the cup 124 and rests on the projection 120 at one end, and against the bottom of the cup at the other, the spring normally forcing the cup upwardly in the cylinder to its highest position which is determined by the pins 126 engaging the lower ends of the elongated slots referred to in the lower portion of the cup. The upper face of the hollow portion of the piston rod 100 normally rests on,

and is supported by, the upper end or bottom of the cup 124, the springs 11 as stated, normally holding the piston 106 and piston rod downwardly in their lower positions in the cylinder. About midway of its length, the cup 124 is provided with an annular flange 130 which, as shown in Fig. 5, extends into a space or groove provided between the portion 104 of the piston rod and the piston 106. The flange 130, as will later appear, is to prevent excessive upward movement of the piston and the flange formers carried at its upper end if the mechanism should be operated when no work is in the machine.

At its lower end, the positioning member 116 is provided with a rod or pin 132 which passes loosely through an opening in a sleeve 134 threaded into the lower reduced end of the cylinder 102, the lower end of the rod 132 being threaded to receive a nut 136. The sleeve is adjusted heightwise of the cylinder by an integral flange 138 on its lower end, a capstan nut 140 being threaded .on the sleeve and bearing against the lower end of the cylinder. In order to adjust the positioning member 116 heightwise of the cylinder, the nut 140 is first loosened and the sleeve is adjusted in the cylinder by means of the flange 138, the nut 136 being first loosened to permit adjustment of the sleeve without rotating the member 116. When the proper adjustment is obtained, the nut 140 is tightened against the cylinder, thereby locking the sleeve in adjusted position and the nut 136 is tightened to fasten the member 116 in the sleeve.

It will be noted that, in its operative position as illustrated at the right of Fig. 5, the piston 106 is spaced a short distance above the bottom of the large chamber 108 and the cup 124 is located by the spring 128 in its uppermost position with the pins 126 engaging the lower ends of their respective slots in the cup. The piston rod 100 is resting on the upper end of the cup and is held in this position by the small spring 114. Consequently, when it is desired that the flange forming members 28 yield downwardly during their flange forming operation, that is, when these members are swung outwardly or laterally relatively to the molds by the piston 76, the piston 106 can yield through the compression of the spring 128 due to additional downward pressure on the flange formers from a greater thickness of upper materials than that for which the mechanism was initially adjusted, the limit of the yielding movement of the piston 106 and flange formers being determined by the lengths of the elongated slots in the lower portion of the cup 124. This yield in the mechanism prevents too much pressure being applied upwardly to the upper materials by the flange formers when the lower margin of the back part is being bent outwardly to form the flange and, consequently, prevents the flange formers from cutting the upper materials or otherwise damaging them during the flange forming operation.

The piston 106 is reciprocated in the cylinder 102 to apply molding pressure to the outturned margin of the upper by pressure fluid introduced into the cylinder similarly to the manner in which the pistons 76 and 62 are operated. Before describing the operation of the several pistons by the fluid pressure medium to actuate the various operating instrumentalities of the machine, a brief resume of the sequence of operation of these instrumentalities will be given with particular reference to the sequence of operation of the station of the machine which is being operated and its relation to the exhausting or release of the opposite station which, at that time, is located in an operative or pressure-applying position. As viewed in Fig. 5, the left-hand station, illustrated diagrammatically in right side elevation, is the station which is under pressure and the right-hand station, also illustrated in right side elevation, is located in its inoperative or retracted position and is, therefore, the station which is about to be pressurized while the left-hand station is being depressurized or released. Referring to the right-hand station of Fig. 5, a closed upper A is mounted around the inner form 24 with the lower edge of the upper engaging the positioning plate 96, the operator grasping the toe portion of the upper and pulling it forwardly lightly to hold the upper on the form. The machine is tripped, in a manner to be subsequently explained, and the outer forms 26 move forwardly rapidly until they engage the upper, after which the fluid pressure operated mechanism closes the forms around the back part of the upper and applies substantial molding pressure thereto. After the molds have clamped the upper in the manner described, the piston 76 is moved upwardly or rearwardly in the cylinder 80 to swing the flange forming members 26 outwardly about their hinge or joint 70 and also to move rearwardly, thereby engaging the lower unclamped margin of the back part of the upper A and bending it outwardly as illustrated, for example, in Fig. 7, to form the flange on said lower margin. When the flange formers have completed their operative movement, or are located substantially in the position illustrated in Fig. 8, the piston 106 is moved upwardly in the cylinder 102 by fluid under pressure to press the flange formers under relatively heavy pressure against the outturned flange on the upper and thus mold the flange into the position illustrated in Fig. 9, this position being actually beyond the position desired in the finished upper but being an overmolded position which permits the flange to swing downwardly when the material reacts into a substantially flat or horizontal position when the upper is located in an upright position as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9. The operations just described take place in the sequence enumerated and simultaneously therewith the left-hand station of the machine is being returned to retracted or inoperative position, the flange formers being first lowered away from engagement with the flange by the return of piston 106 into its lower position, after which the piston 76 is moved forwardly to swing the flange formers inwardly into their idle position. The outer molds 26 are moved rearwardly by the piston 62 into the position shown at the right in Fig. 2. As indicated above, the sequence of operation of the mechanism in returning the pressurized station to its open or retracted position takes place in the manner explained, the lowering of the flange formers first being important because it prevents damaging of the flange on the upper by the return of the formers to their closed position before they have moved downwardly out of engagement with the flange. As indicated, the operation of the instrumentalities of the machine in the manner described is accomplished by fluid pressure operated means which actuates the several pistons in the two stations in the desired sequence, the fluid pressure mechanism operating in a manner which will now be explained.

The hydraulic or fluid pressure operated mechanism of the machine is best illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and and the electrical circuit for actuating this mechanism is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3. The hydraulic system comprises an electric motor 142 (Fig. 1) which drives a pressure fluid pump 144 connected to the motor by a belt 146, the pump drawing fluid such as oil through a pipe 143 from a reservoir or sump 150 located in the base of the machine and forcing pressure fluid through a supply pipe 152 (Fig. 5) to the operating instrumentalities of both stations of the machine. A safety valve 154 is interposed in the pipe line 152 which, through a hand wheel 156, regulates or controls the maximum pressure applied by the pressure fluid to the operating means, an exhaust pipe 158 returning the pressure fluid to the main sump in excess of the pressure for which the safety valve is adjusted. The pressure fluid which is returned to the sump 150 from either station of the machine, when it is being depressurizetl or released, passes through a fluid cleaner or filter 160 of any usual or conventional construction located at the lr-wc-r portion of an exhaust pipe common to each station.

The supply of pressure fluid to both stations of the machine and the return of the pressure fluid to the reservoir from both stations is controlled by a main control valve 162 located in the upper portion of the machine and secured by screws to a bracket 164 fastened to the frame 22. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, the control valve 162 is provided with a vertically reciprocating spool 166 provided with an elongated annular recess 163. The casing of the control valve 162 is provided at its upper portion with two ports, 170 and 172 which, when the valve is located in the position shown in those figures, both communicate with the recess 168. The upper port 170 is connected by pipe 174 to the left-hand station of the machine, while the lower port 172 is connected by the pipe 152 above referred to, which is connected through the safety valve 154 to the pump 144.

The valve 162 is provided with a lower port 176 which is connected through a pipe 178 to the right-hand station of the machine. At its lower portion, the casting forming the valve 162 is provided with a chamber 180 which, as will later be explained, constitutes an auxiliary sump which is normally filled to a predetermined level with pressure fluid and forms an important element in the hydraulic power operating mechanism of the machine. The auxiliary sump 180 is provided with two lower outlet ports having pipes 182 and 184 connected thereto, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. It will be observed that, as shown in Figs. 3 and S, the spool 166 is located in its uppermost position in the valve so that pressure fluid being forced through the pipe 152 by the pump 144 will pass out of the valve through the pipe 174 into the left-hand station of the machine, which, as stated above, is located in its operated position. It will also be noted that the port 176, connected by the pipe 173 to the righthand station of the machine, is closed to pressure fluid entering the valve through the pipe 152 but is open to exhaust through the chamber 180.

The spool 166 is reciprocated in the valve 162 by a lever 186 (Fig. 3) pivoted on a shaft 188 mounted in a stationary portion of the frame 22, the lever being connected at its left-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 3, to a bar 190 arranged to reciprocate vertically in an opening in the frame 22. The bar 190 has an upper offset portion or arm 192 which is secured by a nut 194 to the upper end of the spool 166, this upper portion being reduced in diameter as shown in 196 and passing out of the top of the casing 162 through an opening therein.

Rotation of the lever 186 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 3 to its other position, determined by the engagement of the arm 192 with the frame, shifts the piston 166 into its lower position which closes the upper port leading to the left-hand station of the machine and opens the lower port 176 leading to the right-hand station of the machine, this action thereby setting the mechanism in a position to operate or pressurize the right-hand station and to exhaust the left-hand station, the inlet port 172 from the pump remaining open by reason the length of the recess 168 in the spool. The spool 166 has a second recess or groove 198, near its upper end which communicates, through horizontal holes, with a central bore or hole 200 in the spool the hole 200 extending to the bottom of the spool and opening into a bore 202 in which the spool slides. The bore 202 opens into the auxiliary sump 180. The position of the upper groove 198 in the spool 166 is such that, when the spool is moved downwardly into its lower position, this opening will register with the port 170 which is connected to the left-hand station. Accordingly, when the spool is moved downwardly into its lower position, the control valve 162 has then positioned or set the mechanism for operating the right-hand station and for exhausting or releasing the left-hand station which, as illustrated in Fig. 5, is then under pressure.

The lever 186 is operated to locate the control valve in either one of its two operating positions by a pair of solenoids 204 and 206, which are energized alternately to move the spool 166 heightwise into one or the other of its two positions. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the armatures of the solenoids are connected to each other by links 208, 209 which, in turn, are pivotally connected to the lever 136 by a pin 210. The lower solenoid 206 is being energized in Fig. 3 and has swung the lever 186 clockwise to raise the spool 166 and connect the control valve 162 with the left-hand station of the machine. The electrical wiring of the machine is contained in a box 212 (Fig. 1) located in the base of the machine, the wiring passing through cables 214, and 216 to switch boxes 218, 220 and 222. The switch boxes 220 and 222 are located at the front of the right and left-hand stations, respectively, of the machine, while the switch box 218 is located in the upper portion of the frame midway between the two stations. The switch boxes contain micro-switches of the usual construction. The switch box 218, which is common to both stations, is provided with a button 224 which is depressed by the operator with one hand when starting the operation of either station of the machine. The switch boxes 220 and 222 (Fig. l) are each closed by plates 226 (Fig. 3) associated with each switch box and slidable toward and from the switch box on pins or rods 228. The button 224 and the plates 226 are normally maintained in their open positions by springs within the switch box in the usual manner.

Referring to the electrical diagram in Fig. 3, the current passes through the system through main power lines 230 and 232. Depression of the central button 224 together with the left-hand plate 226 has energized the lower solenoid 206, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the button and plate having been returned by springs immediately to open positions upon being released. Depression of these two members, however, has energized a relay coil 234 which has caused a relay contact 236 to send the current through the line 238 to energize the lower solenoid 206. The solenoid 206 will remain activated to hold the lever 186 in the position shown in Fig. 3 until the button 224 and the relay switch 220 for the right-hand station are both depressed, after which a similar relay coil 240 and a relay contact 242 for the right-hand station will connect the current to the solenoid 204 and energize that solenoid while breaking the connection to the lower solenoid 206, the current passing through a wire 244 into the upper solenoid 204 for the right-hand station. The arrangement of the wiring for the electrical circuit of the machine is such that depression of the central button 224 together with repeated depressions of the plate for one of the two stations of the machine, for example, the plate 226 for the left-hand station, will not cause that station to operate again but will merely leave the mechanism as it was before such depression until the central button is depressed and the plate for the open or inoperated station is depressed, at which time, the solenoid for the idle station will be energized and the contact will be broken for the station which is then under pressure. It will be noted that, in order to operate either station of the machine, the operator must use both hands, thereby making it impossible for him to get either hand caught in any of the operating mechanisms of the machine.

' In order to describe the operation of the fluid pressure mechanism of the machine adequately, it will be necessary to begin with the left-hand station under pressure, as illustrated in Fig. 5, and describe the operation or pressurizing of the right-hand station, together with the depressurizing or releasing of the left-hand station. Assuming that the operator has mounted the upper A on the inner mold or form 24 of the right-hand station of Fig. 5, and is holding the toe end of the upper forwardly with his right hand, he then reaches forwardly with his left hand and depresses the button 224 of the common switch box 218. While still holding the upper, he depresses the switch plate 226 of the switch box 220 for the right-hand station, thereby energizing the relay coil 240 and closing the electric circuit for the upper solenoid 204, while simultaneous ly breaking the contact for the lower solenoid 206. The solenoid 204 elevates the link 208 and rotates the lever 186 in a counterclockwise direction, which lowers the spool 166 in the control valve 162, thereby opening the port 176 to the right-hand station of the machine and simultaneous- 1y closing the port 170 of the left-hand station to pressure fluid from the pump, this action also connecting the lefthand station, through the port 17 to the small chamber or groove 193 in the upper portion of the spool. Pressure fluid being forced by the pump through the pipe 152 passes through the port 172 into the control valve and, since the upper port 170 is now closed and the lower port 167 is open, the pressure fluid passes through the pipe 17 8 into the right-hand station of the machine.

The pressure fluid flows through the pipe 178 of the right-hand station until it reaches a row or series of valves, located below the operating instrumentalities and indicated generally in Figs. 1 and by the numeral 246, this series consisting of five valves of the type disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,200,824, granted May 14, 1940, on the application of Kenneth R. Herman. This type of valve is especially adapted for use in power transmission systems using fluid, such as oil, and it is known commercially as a pressure control or sequence valve. As disclosed in the patent referred to, when the parts of the valve are assembled in the position shown in Fig. 4 of that patent, which corresponds substantially to Fig. 5 hereof, the valve may be. used as a sequence valve which will prevent pressure fluid from passing through the valve until a predetermined pressure is built up in the system, the valve then permitting the fluid to pass through it and on to the next part of the fluid pressure system. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, the right-hand station of the machine has the series of five sequence valves 246, and the left-hand station has a similar series of five sequence valves 248. Referring to the first valve in the right-hand series 246, it comprises a main body or casing 250 provided with an upper port or chamber 252 and a lower chamber 254, the pipe 178 leading into the lower chamber 254. Slidable in a vertical opening connecting the two chambers 252, 254 is a spool 256 having an upper piston head thereon which opens and closes the opening connecting the two chambers, and having a lower head slidable in a lower vertical opening. The two chambers are also connected by a smaller opening 258 which is normally closed by a springpressed check valve 260. A spring 262 in the upper portion of the valve casing normally holds the slide valve or spool 256 downwardly so that the opening between the two chambers is closed, as illustrated in the righthand station of Fig. 5. The tension of the spring may be adjusted by a screw 264 in which the spring is seated to vary the pressure required to open the valve and permit pressure fluid to pass through the valve into the upper chamber 252. The construction of this sequence valve is such that fluid passing directly into the upper chamber 252, which is sometimes referred to as the zero or non-pressure side of the valve, can pass downwardly through the valve under very little pressure, that is to say, under pressure sutficient merely to open the chelck valve 260, which may be one pound per square inch or ess.

A small opening or duct 261 connects the lower chamber 254 with the bottom of the vertical opening in which the lower end of the spool 256 slides and, accordingly, pressure fluid entering the lower chamber 254 will pass through this duct and overbalance the pressure in the chamber 254 against the two heads on the spool 256, thereby raising the spool against the tension of the spring 262. Pressure fiuid passing into the lower chamber 254, however, cannot pass into the upper chamber 252 until suflicient pressure has been built up behind the fluid to overcome the force of the spring 262, the check valve 260 preventing the fluid from passing into the upper chamber through the small opening 258. In addition to the first valve 250, the series in the right-hand station of the machine, as stated, comprises a second sequence valve 266, a third valve 268, a fourth valve 270 and a fifth valve 272. The left-hand station likewise is provided with a series of five sequence valves 250, 266, 268, 270 and 272.

In accordance with the present invention, the five pressure control or sequence valves in the right-hand station of the machine are set or adjusted, through their springs 262, to operate individually at dilferent predetermined pressures, these pressures being such that the sequence of operation of the operating instrumentalities of each station is controlled automatically by the five valves in the set or series in the corresponding station. The pressures at which the valves are set will be determined, of course, by the pressures required on the different operating instrumentalities which, in turn, will depend upon the work being operated upon. In accordance with the present disclosure, the first sequence valve 250 is set, by way of example, to operate or open at a pressure of pounds to the square inch. The second valve 266 is set to operate at a pressure of 500 pounds per square inch and the third valve 268 is set to operate at a pressure of 300 pounds per square inch while the fourth valve 270 is set to operate at a pressure of 250 pounds per square inch. The final or fifth valve in the series is set to operate at a pressure of pounds per square inch, it being understood that these pressures have been selected as one example and might vary in accordance with the work being operated upon by the operating instrumentalities. The series 248 of sequence valves in the left-hand station of the machine will be set at the same pressures as those in the right-hand station, the first valve 250 at the extreme left being set at 100 pounds per square inch and the remaining four valves being set in accordance with the other four valves of the right-hand station. It will be observed that the arrangement of the valves in each series is such that they are set in an opposite or reverse order in the leftand right-hand stations, as viewed in Fig. 5. Since the highest pressure for which any one of the sequence valves is set is 500 pounds per square inch, this pressure being for the two valves 266, which form the second valve in each series, the safety valve 154 interposed in the pipe line 152 in the base of the machine must be set at a pressure somewhat above the 500 pounds required to operate the sequence valves. Generally speaking, the safety valve may be set at a pressure ranging from 550 to 575 pounds per square inch, thereby insuring that there will be sufficient fluid pressure in the system to operate the machine.

As stated above, the pressure fluid flows from the control valve 162 through the pipe 178 until it reaches the lower chamber 254 in the first sequence valve 250. Since the pressure fluid cannot pass into the upper chamber 252 and thus through the valve 250 until a pressure of over 100 pounds per square inch has. been, built up in the lower chamber'254, the pressure fluid passes through a pipe 274 branching off from the pipe 178 into a small inner chamber or bore 276 in the casting forming the cylinder 58 of the right-hand station. The pressure fluid also passes from the pipe 178 through a branching pipe 278 into a lower valve 280, referred to herein as a quick release or exhaust valve, and provided with a horizontal chamber 282 in which a slide valve or spool 284 reciprocates alternately to open and close one of two ports 286, 288 located at the upper side of the valve and thereby to permit one or the other of these ports to exhaust the fluid therein through the valve and out through an outlet pipe 290 which is connected to the exhaust pipe 184 referred to above as leading out of the bottom of the auxiliary sump 180 of the control valve 162 and in to the main sump 150.

The spool 284 is arranged to be moved in either direction by a relatively small amount of pressure and, accordingly, as the pressure fluid passes into the bore 274 in the right-hand cylinder 58, it also moves the spool from the position shown in Fig. to its other position in which the spool is located at the opposite end of the valve chamber 282. This quick release valve is for the purpose of permitting the pressure fluid in the pressureapplying mechanisms of the two stations of the machine to exhaust quickly into the main sump 150 and thereby insure that the flange formers 28 in the station being released or depressurized will move downwardly away from the flange on the upper before they are moved forwardly and swung inwardly by the return movement of the piston 76 of that station. Consequently, as shown in Fig. 5, the pipe 286 leads from the quick release valve 280 to the lower end of the cylinder 102 of the left-hand station, this pipe being also connected with the lower or pressure side of the last or fifth sequence valve 272 of the left-hand station and with the upper or non-pressure side of the fourth sequence valve 270 of that station. The pipe 286 also passes into the right-hand station of the machine and enters the rear portion of the chamber in the cylinder 80 in which the piston 76 reciprocates to operate the flange formers 28. Movement of the slide valve 284 to the left in Fig. 5, therefore, opens the pipe 286 to the outlet pipe 290 in the release valve and, through the pipe 184, to the main sump 150 so that the pressure fluid in the cylinder 102 of the left-hand or pressurized station of the machine can be exhausted quickly into the main sump, the fluid being forced to exhaust by the small springs 114 in the cylinder as they return the piston 106 to its lower position.

Since several of the movements of the mechanisms in both stations of the machine occur substantially simultaneously in the present fluid pressure operating system, and since it will be necessary to describe these movements separately, it is believed desirable to describe such movements as far as possible in the order of their importance in the operation of the machine, at least, in those cases where they occur at substantially the same time.

As indicated above, the spool 284, in the valve 280 moves to the left in Fig. 5 as the pressure fluid passes into the right-hand cylinder 58 and as it also builds up pressure at the lower or pressure side of the first sequence valve 250, this movement of the spool 284 connecting the lower portion of the left-hand cylinder 102 with the main sump 150 through the relief valve 280. This movement also connects the rear portion of the right-hand cylinder 80 with the main sump through the pipe 286. In addition, the movement of the spool 284 to the left closes the second pipe 288 entering the valve 280 to the sump (or exhaust) through the valve and the pipe 290, this second pipe 288'leading to the cylinder 80 in the left-hand station and also to the pressure-applying cylinder 102 in the right-hand station. The pipe 288 is also connected to the upper or non-pressure side of the fourth sequence valve 270 of the right-hand station and to the lower or pressure side of the fifth sequence valve in this station. The closing of the pipe 288 to exhaust by movement of the spool 284 to the left, permits pressure to be built up in the rear portion of, the-left-hand cylinder 80 to move the piston 78 forwardly and return the left-hand flange formers 28 to their closed or inoperative position. The closing of the pipe 288 to exhaust also permits fluid pressure to be applied to the right-hand piston 106 in the cylinder 102 at a later stage in the operation of the machine as will presently appear.

The pressure fluid entering the right-hand cylinder 58 rapid movement to bring the outside molds or forms 26 quickly into engagement with the back part of the upper A on the inner mold 24. Buffer grooves in the piston 62 prevent damage to the work by slowing the piston near the end of the stroke, as will be later explained. Downward movement of the piston 62 creates a vacuum in the cylinder 58 in the space behind the piston and, since the system must be filled with fluid at all times to operate properly, this space must be filled with fluid as the piston 62 moves downwardly. The space above the piston 62 in the right-hand cylinder 58 is filled with fluid drawn by suction or atmospheric pressure from the auxiliary sump- 180 in the control valve 162. The capacity of the auxiliary sump is sufficient to fill the space due to the displacement of the piston 62 in the cylinder 58 in either station and any overflow in the auxiliary sump passes downwardly through the pipe 184 into the main sump 150.

Atmospheric pressure upon the fluid in the auxiliary sump 180 forces the fluid through the pipe 182 into the rear portion of the chamber in the cylinder 58 of the right-hand station, the fluid passing through a check valve 291. Consequently, as the piston 62 moves downwardly in its cylinder from the pressure in the small diameter chamber in the piston, the space behind the piston is simultaneously filled with fluid. When the pressure of the outer molds 26 upon the back part of the upper A reaches pounds per square inch, the pressure fluid lifts the spool 256 in the first sequence valve 250 in the right-hand station and the fluid passes through the lower chamber 254 into the upper chamber 252 and into a pipe 292 leading from this chamber into the lower chamber of the second sequence valve 266 and also upwardly into the cylinder 58, the piston 62 having moved downwardly a sufficient distance at this time to uncover the entrance of the pipe 292 into the cylinder. Consequently, the fluid behind the piston 62 is now put under pressure from the fluid from the pipe 292 and this pressure can build up to 500 pounds per square inch before the second sequence valve 266 of the right-hand station will open. The outer surface of the piston 62 is formed with cutaway portions or grooves adjacent to the opening for the pipe 292 and these grooves are adapted to provide buffers adjacent to the opposite ends of the reciprocating movement of the piston, thereby slowing the movement of the piston near the opposite ends of its stroke and thus preventing damage to the mechanism. As the piston 62 moves forwardly in the cylinder 58, the fluid which was in the forward portion of the cylinder chamber is forced out of this chamber in front of the piston 62 through a pipe 294 to the second sequence valve 266 of the left-hand station of the machine, the pipe 294 also entering the lower or pressure side of the third sequence valve 268 of this station where it is stopped by the setting of this valve. The pressure fluid entering the upper chamber of the non-pressure side of the second sequence valve 266 flows downwardly through the valve, as explained above, and into the non-pressure side of the first sequence valve 250 through a pipe 296. The fluid passes through the first sequence valve and into the pipe 174 through which it passes into the main control valve 162 and into the auxiliary sump 180.

When the pressure against the back part of the upper A reaches 500 pounds per square inch, the second sequence valve 266 of the right-hand station opens to permit the pressure fluid to pass upwardly therethrough and out into a pipe 298 one end of which connects with the lower or pressure side of the third sequence valve 268 and the other end of which leads to the forward portion of the chamber in the cylinder 58 of the left-hand station, the pipe 298 corresponding to the pipe 294 of the right-hand station. Since the sequence valve 268 has been set to resist a pressure of 300 pounds to the square inch, the fluid passes into the left-hand cylinder 58 in front of the piston 62 by reason of the buffer grooves referred to in the piston and starts moving the piston 62 slowly rearwardly to return the outer molds 26 of the left-hand station to their retracted or inoperative position. As the piston 62 is being forced rearwardly as described, the pressure fluid in the small diameter open-v ing in the piston 62 is exhausted through the pipe 174 into the control valve 162 and the auxiliary su'mp 180. The fluid in the rear portion of the large chamber in the cylinder 58 of this left-hand station is discharged through the pipe 296, previously described as connected to the lower or pressure side of the second sequence valve 266 of the left-hand station, a branch of this pipe also entering the upper or non-pressure side of the first sequence valve 250 of that station. Accordingly, the pressure fluid being exhausted from the left-hand cylinder 58 passes downwardly through the first sequence valve 250 and out through the pipe 174 into the control valve 162 where it empties into the auxiliary sump 180, any excess fluid, as stated, overflowing into the exhaust pipe 184 and into the main sump 150.

As pointed out above, during the time the above operations are taking place, the pressure fluid in the lower portion of the pressure-applying cylinder 102 for the left-hand station is being exhausted directly through the pipe 286 and the quick release valve 280 into the main sump 150 by the force of the springs 114. This fluid does not pass through the non-pressure sides of the sequence valves 270, 268 and so forth, although the pipe 286 connects with the valve 270, because the sum of the pressures necessary to open the small check valves 260 in these four sequence valves is greater than the force of the springs 114. Accordingly, the pressure fluid passes through the pipe 268 into the quick release valve 280 and thence into the sump 150, thereby insuring a quick return of the piston 106 in the left-hand cylinder 102 to its lower position to withdraw the flange forming members 28 from the work before the forward or retracting action of the piston 76 takes place.

As stated, the third sequence valve 268 for the righthand station is set to open at 300 pounds pressure per square inch, this pressure being utilized to retract the outer molds 26 of the left-hand station, as described above. When the third sequence valve is opened by the pressure in the system reaching 300 pounds, pressure fluid flows through this valve into a pipe 300 which is connected to the pressure side of the fourth valve 270 of the right-hand station, this valve being set to open at a pressure of 250 pounds per square inch. Since the fluid cannot yet pass through the second sequence valve 270, it passes through the pipe 300 of the right-hand station which connects with the cylinder 80 of that station, thereby moving the piston 76 in this cylinder rearwardly to cause the flange forming members 26 to be moved outwardly or laterally of the molds 24, 26 about their hinge 70 (Fig. 2), thereby bending the lower margin of the back part of the upper A outwardly, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, and forming a flange on this lower margin. The action of the flange formers is controlled by the arcuate slots 74 in the carrier members 64 and, accordingly, the formers move outwardly as they move rearwardly and thus form the flange around the entire back part of the upper. As the piston 76 in the right-hand cylinder 80 is forced rearwardly by pressure fluid from the pipe 300, the fluid in the rear portion of this cylinder is exhausted through the pipe 286, as explained above, directly into the quick release valve 280 which has been set by movement of the piston 284 to permit this fluid to exhaust from the pipe 286 into the main sump 150. When the fluid pressure against the piston 76 for the flange forming members 28 reaches 250 pounds per square inch, the fourth sequence valve 270 is opened and the fluid can pass upwardly through this valve and into the pipe 288 which is connected to the lower or pressure side of the fifth sequence valve 272 and also to the cylinder 102 of the pressure-applying mechanism of the right-hand station. Since the fluid in the pipe 288 connected to the fifth sequence valve 272 meets a resistance of 150 pounds to the square inch, the pressure fluid passes upwardly through the pipe 288 into the right-hand pressure-applying cylinder 102 to move the piston 106 upwardly and apply substantial pressure to the outturned flange on the lower margin of the back part of the upper. As the pressure is being applied to the flange on the upper in the right-hand station, pressure fluid is also passing through the pipe 288 to the quick release valve 280 which at this time is closed to exhaust for the pipe 288. Consequently, the pressure fluid passes through the pipe 288 into the rear portion of the cylinder 80 of the left-hand station of the machine and causes the piston 76 therein to move forwardly and downwardly to return the flange forming members 28 14 of this station to their closed or inoperative position. As the piston 76 moves forwardly, the pressure fluid in the forward portion of the left-hand cylinder 80 is exhausted through a pipe 302 leading from the left-hand cylinder 80 to the lower or pressure side of the fourth sequence valve 270 of the left-hand station, the fluid also flowing to the upper or non-pressure side of the third sequence valve 268 of the left-hand station. Since the fluid in the pipe 302 cannot pass through the pressure side of the fourth sequence valve 270, it exhausts through the non-pressure sides of the third, second and first sequence valves 268, 266 and 250 into the pipe line 174, passes through the control valve 162 and into auxiliary sump 180. When the pressure being applied to the flange in the right-hand station by the piston 106 overcomes the 150 pounds pressure necessary to open the fifth sequence valve 272 of this station, the pressure fluid flows upwardly through this fifth valve into the pipe line 184 and directly into the main sump The operating instrumentalities of the right-hand station of the machine have by this time been completely operated, first, to mold the back part between the inner and outer molds 24, 26, secondly, to bend the lower margin of the back part of the upper outwardly to form an outurned flange thereon and, thirdly, to apply upward pressure to the outturned flange, as illustrated, for example, in Figs. 8 and 9, to overmold the flange and thus cause it to remain permanently in the desired angular position which, as explained, should be substantially horizontal when the back part is located in an upright position. The operating mechanisms of the right-hand station of the machine will remain in their operated positions while the operator removes the completed upper A from the left-hand station of the machine, which was returned to its inoperative position simultaneously with the operation of the right-hand station. The pressurizing of the left-hand station of the machine and the depressurizing or releasing of the right-hand station will be the same as described above, except that the operations will be reversed. While no detailed explanation of the operation of the left-hand station should be necessary for a proper understanding of the invention, a brief description of its operation will be given to render the disclosure complete.

The operator, after removing the completed upper from the left-hand station, places a new upper on the inner mold 24, depresses the common button or switch 224 with one hand and depresses the left-hand plate 226 with the other, thereby closing the circuit and energizing the lower solenoid 206 (Fig. 3) for operating the leftv hand station. The spool 166 in the control valve 162 moves up into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5, to open the port 176 of the right-hand station to exhaust and to position the valve for pressurizing the left-hand station. Pressure fluid flows from the control valve 162 through the pipe 174 to the first left-hand sequence valve 250 and is stopped by the pounds pressure required to open this valve. The pressure fluid also flows through a small pipe 304 into the quick release valve 280 to move the piston 284 to the right, as shown in. Fig. 5, and thus open the pipe line 283 to exhaust and prevent the pipe 286 from exhausting. Pressure fluid passes through the pipe 174 and a branch 306 into the left-hand cylinder 53 and moves the piston 62 and the outer molds 26 forwardly to clamp the back part of the upper A against the inner mold 24, the movement of the piston 62 being relatively rapid until the molds have clamped the upper. As indicated above. the pipe 182 draws fluid from the auxiliary sump 180 through atmospheric pressure to till the space behind the piston 62 as it moves forwardly. When the pressure on the back art of the upper reaches 100 pounds per square inch. fluid flows throu h the first left-hand sequence valve 25% and into the pipe 296 to the second sequence valve 266, which is set at 500 pounds pressure per square inch, thereby permitting the molds to apply a pressure of 500 pounds. to the back part of the upper throu h the pipe 296 be-- for further action occurs in the left-hand station.

The fluid in the forward portion of the left-hand cylinder 58 is forced out through the pipe 298, through the second sequence valve 266 of the right-hand sta-- tion, through the first sequence valve 250 of that station, through the pipe 178, through the control valve 162 and into the auxiliary sump 180. When the pressure on the. back part reaches 500- pounds, the second sequence valve 266 of the left station is opened and pressurev fluid passes through this valve into the pipe 294 where it meets a resistance of 300 pounds in the third sequence valve 268. The fluid thereupon passes through the pipe 294 into the forward portion of the right-hand cylinder 53 to move the piston 62 rearwardly and retract the outer molds 26 of the right-hand station, the fluid in the rear portion of the small diameter chamber in the right-hand cylinder 58 being exhausted through the pipes 274 and 178 into the auxiliary sump 180, and the fluid in back of the piston 62 being exhausted through the pipe 292, the first sequence valve 250, the pipe 178, the control valve 162 into the auxiliary sump 180.

The fluid in the bottom of the right-hand pressure applying cylinder 102 is being exhausted, during this time, by the springs 114 acting against the piston 106, through the pipe 288 and valve 280 directly into the main sump 150. When the pressure in the pipe 294 reaches 300 pounds per square inch, the pressure fluid passes through the third sequence valve 268 of the left station into the pipe 302 where it meets the resistance of 250 pounds of the fourth sequence valve 270 and, consequently, flows through the pipe 302 into the front portion of the left cylinder 80 to move the piston 76 therein rearwardly to cause the flange forming members 28 of this left station to swing open about their hinge 70 and move upwardly, thereby bending the lower margin of the upper in the left-hand station outwardly to form the flange thereon.

As explained in connection with the pressurizing of the right-hand station, the fluid in the rear portion of the left cylinder 80 is exhausted at this time through the pipe 288, the quick release valve 280, the pipe 290 into the main sump 150, as the piston 76 moves rearwardly to actuate the flange formers 28. When the fourth sequence valve 270 of the left station is opened by 250 pounds pressure exerted against the upper margin when bending the flange, pressure fluid flows through this fourth valve into the pipe 286 and, meeting the resistance of 150 pounds pressure per square inch in the fifth sequence valve 272, the fluid flows into the left-hand pressure applying cylinder 102 to move the piston 106 upwardly to compress the flange and mold it into the desired shape, pressure fluid at the same time flowing into the rear portion of the right-hand cylinder 80 through the pipe 286 to force the piston 76 forwardly to return the flange formers 28 of this station to their inoperative position, these formers having been previously moved downwardly away from the upper through the exhausting of the fluid in the right-hand cylinder 102 into the main sump 150. The fluid in the forward portion of the righthand cylinder 80 is exhausted through the pipe 300, the third sequence valve 268, the second sequence valve 266, the first sequence valve 250, the pipe 178, the control valve 162 into the auxiliary sump 180. When the pressure in the system reaches 150 pounds per square inch. it opens the fifth sequence valve 272 of the left-hand station, the fluid then passing through this valve into the main sump 150 through the exhaust pipe 184, this pipe, as illustrated, being connected to the fifth sequence valves of both stations. The left-hand station has now been completely operated and will remain under pressure until the ri ht-hand station is operated a ain.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, the castings 102, which form the pressure applying cylinders of the two stations of the machine, are both provided with lateral flanges or lips 308 provided with depressions adapted to catch any fluid which leaks out of these cylinders, the excess fluid being carried by drain pipes 310 to a pan 312 (Fig. 1) from which the excess fluid can be emptied into the main sump 150 through a petcock 314.

In order to prevent the hydraulic system of the machine from being clogged by air working into the system, a bleeder valve 316 of conventional construction (Figs. 1 and 4) is provided at the top of the mold operating cylinders 58 of each station of the machine. As illlustrated in Fig. 4, the valve 316 permits bubbles of air in the pressure fluid to work upwardly through a minute opening 318 in a threaded pipe 320 and a coil 321 forming a part of the valve, the pressure fluid in the valve being maintained at a predetermined level at the top of the valve to permit air (or excess fluid) to work above this level and thereby be expelled from the system. A drain pipe 322 leads from the valve 316 to the 16 maitli sump to carry off fluid above thepredetermined leve Referring to Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, the inner mold 24 (Fig. 7) is provided adjacent to its lower edge with the angular groove or recess 98 which provides an opening into which the lower portion of the upper A is forced during the shaping operation. When the flange formers 28 swing outwardly and rearwardly to bend a flange on the lower margin of the upper, they do not exert any substantial upward pressure against the margin of the upper. Moreover, as stated above, if the upper should be considerably thicker than that for which the machine is set, the piston 106 (Fig. 5) can yield downwardly against the spring 128 to prevent the flange formers from damaging the upper. The flange formers do not exert any substantial wiping action against the flange as they move outwardly and, accordingly, do not draw the upper too tightly around the inclined bottom edges of the outer molds 26. Consequently, when the flange formers are moved upwardly by the piston 106 to apply heavy molding pressure to the flange, there is suflicient upper material between the bottom edges of the molds 26 and the groove 98 in the inner mold to be pressed into this groove by the heightwise pressure of the flange formers. This action permits the formation of a sharp well-defined crease on the line where the flange turns outwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the flange being bent or overmolded by the pressure applying action of the flange formers to an extent which is substantially commensurate with the normal reaction or spring of the upper materials toward their original position. Consequently, the resulting flange formed at the lower margin of the back part of the upper A will extend outwardly in a substantially horizontal plane when the upper is held upright, as in Figs. 7 and 9, to provide an outturned flange which will greatly facilitate the con struction of the shoe during subsequent operations, particularly, during operations such as the stitchdown lasting operation, in which the outturned flange on the upper is secured by stitches to the sole portion of the shoe.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for applying pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, a pair of members for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portion, fluid pressure means for actuating said molds, and means responsive to pressure exerted on the upper by said molds for thereafter causing said fluid pressure means to actuate said flange forming members.

2. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for applying pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, members for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portion, fluid pressure means for actuating said molds, and automatic means responsive to a predetermined pressure applied by said molds to the upper for causing said fluid pressure means to actuate the flange forming members.

3. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for applying pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, members for presslng against the margin of said end portion to form a flange thereon, fluid pressure means for actuating said molds and the flange forming members, and a plurality of sequence valves for automatically controlling the operation of the fluid pressure means to cause said means to actuate the molds and the flange forming members in a predetermined time sequence and also to apply predetermined pressures to said end portion.

4. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for applying pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, members for pressing against the margin of said end portion to form a flange thereon, fluid pressure means for actuating said molds and theflange forming members, and controlling means responsive to pressure exerted against the upper by said molds for causing said fluid pressure means to actuate the flange forming members to apply a predetermmed pressure to the margin of said end portion.

5. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, inner and outer molds for applying pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, a pair of members for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portion, fluid pressure means for actuating said molds, fluid pressure means for actuating the flange forming members, and a plurality of sequence valves for automatically controlling the operation of both of said fluid pressure means to cause them to actuate the molds and flange forming members in a predetermined time sequence and afso to apply predetermined pressures to the upper.

6. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for applying pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, a pair of members for bending the lower margin of said end portion substantially at right angles to the remainder thereof to form a flange on said end portion, fluid pressure operated means including a piston and cylinder for actuating said molds, fluid pressure operated means for actuating the flange forming members, and means operating automatically in response to pressure exerted on the upper by said molds for causing the last-named fluid pressure operated means to actuate the flange forming members.

7. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for applying pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, members for 1 bending the lower margin of said end portion to form a flange thereon, fluid pressure operated means for actuating said molds, fluid pressure operated means for moving the flange forming members in one direction to bend said lower margin to form the flange, fluid pressure operated means for moving said members in another direction to apply pressure to the flange, and a plurality of sequence valves for automatically controlling the operation of all of said fluid pressure operated means to cause them to operate in the order named.

8. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, inner and outer molds movable relatively to each other to apply pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, fluid pressure operated means including a piston movable in a cylinder for effecting relative movement of said molds, a pair of flange forming members movable relatively to said molds for forming an outturned flange on the lower margin of the end portion of the upper, said members being movable both laterally and heightwise of the molds, fluid pressure operated means including a piston and a cylinder for moving the flange forming members laterally of the molds, fluid pressure operated means including a piston and cylinder for moving said flange forming members heightwise of the molds, and means including a plurality of valves arranged in series for automatically controlling the operation of all of said fluid pressure operated means to cause them to operate in a predetermined sequence and also to cause predetermined pressures to be exerted on the upper by said molds and said flange forming members.

9. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for applying pressure to an end portion of an upper to shape the same, flange forming members for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portion, a piston connected to said molds, a cylinder housing said piston, fluid pressure means for moving the piston in the cylinder to actuate the molds, fluid pressure means for actuating the flange forming members, and means responsive to pressure exerted against the upper by said piston for rendering the 1astnamed fluid pressure means operative to actuate the flange forming members.

10. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, inner and outer molds relatively movable to embrace an end portion of an upper to shape the same, members movable relatively to said molds for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portion, a piston connected to the outer molds for moving the latter to embrace the upper, a piston for moving the flange forming members lengthwise and laterally of the upper, a piston for moving said flange forming members heightwise of the upper, fluid pressure means for actuating all of said pistons, and means for automatically controlling the operation of said fluid pressure means, said controlling means being responsive in its operation to pressures exerted by said molds and said flange forming members when actuated by their respective pistons.

11. A two-station machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds in each station for shaping an end portion of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portion, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating the molds therein, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating the flange forming members therein, and means in each station for automatically controlling the operation of the fluid pressure operated means in said stations, the controlling means in each station being hydraulically interconnected with the mechanism of the other station so that actuation of the molds and the flange forming members in one station by the fluid pressure operated means therein causes the release of the molds and the flange forming members in the other station through the fluid pressure operated means in said other station.

12. A two-station machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds in each station for shaping an end portion of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for forming an outturned flange on the lower margin of said end portion, fluid pressure means in each station for actuating the molds in said stations, fluid pressure means in each station for actuating the flange forming members in said stations, means in each station for automatically controlling the operation of the fluid pressure means in said stations, and connections between the controlling means of each station constructed and arranged to cause the fluid pressure means of either station to eflect the release of the molds and flange forming members therein when the fluid pres sure means of the other station actuates the molds and flange forming members of said other station.

13. A two-station machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds in both stations for shaping end portions of shoe uppers, members cooperating with said molds for forming flanges on the lower margins of said end portions, fluid pressure means in each station for actuating the molds therein, fluid pressure means in each station for actuating the flange forming members therein, means in each station for automatically controlling the operation of the fluid pressure means in said stations, each of said controlling means being responsive to fluid pressure, the controlling means in each station being arranged to cause the corresponding fluid pressure means to actuate the molds and the flange forming members in a predetermined sequence, and connections between the controlling means of each station whereby actuation of the molds and the flange forming members in one station by their respective fluid pressure means effects the release of the molds and the flange forming members in the other station by their respective fluid pressure means.

14. A two-station machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds in each station for shaping the back part of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for forming an outwardly extending flange on the lower margin of said back part, fluid pressure means in each station for actuating the molds in each station, fluid pressure means in each station for moving the corresponding flange forming members laterally of the molds therein to bend said lower margin outwardly and start a flange, fluid pressure means in each station for moving the flange forming members therein heightwise of the molds to apply final pressure to the bent margin and complete the flange, means in each station for automatically controlling the operation of the fluid pressure means therein, said controlling means being responsive to fluid pressure when controlling the operation of said fluid pressure means, and connections between the controlling means of both stations for causing the fluid pressure means in one station to release the flange forming members from engagement with the flange, to move said members laterally of the molds into their inoperative position, and to return the molds to their inoperative position in the order named, when the fluid pressure means of the other station are caused by the controlling means of that station to actuate the molds therein, to move the flange forming members laterally to bend the lower margin of the back part, and to move said flange forming members heightwise to apply pressure to the flange in the order named.

15. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for shaping the back part of an upper, a pair of members cooperating with said molds for forming an outturned flange on the lower margin of said back part, a pressure fluid actuated piston for operating said molds, a pressure fluid actuated piston for operating the flange forming members, a pressure fluid actuated piston for effecting relative movement of the molds and flange forming members to apply pressure to the outturned flange, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to said pistons, and means including a series of sequence valves for controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said pistons.

16. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for shaping the back part of an upper, a pair of members cooperating with said molds for forming an outturned flange on the lower margin of said back part, a pressure fluid actuated piston for operating said molds, a pressure fluid actuated piston for operating the flange forming members, a pressure fluid actuated piston for effecting relative heightwise movement between the molds and flange forming members to apply molding pressure to the outturned flange, a pump for supplying pressure fluid for actuating said pistons, and a series of valves for controlling the pressure fluid supplied to said pistons by said pump, said valves being interconnected to operate successively and thereby produce a predetermined sequence in the operation of said pistons.

17. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for shaping the back part of an upper, a pair of members cooperating with said molds for forming an outturned flange on the lower margin of said back part, a pressure fluid actuated piston for operating said molds, a pressure fluid actuated piston for operating the flange forming members, a pressure fluid actuated piston for relatively moving the molds and flange forming members to apply molding pressure to the outturned flange, a pump for constantly supplying pressure fluid for actuating said pistons, and means for automatically controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said pistons, said means including a series of interconnected valves arranged to operate successively at different pressures, thereby producing a predetermined time sequence in the operation of said pistons.

18. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for shaping the back part of an upper, a pair of members cooperating with said molds to form an outturned flange on the lower margin of said back part, a pressure fluid actuated piston for operating said molds, a pressure fluid actuated piston for operating the flange forming members to form a flange on the back part, a pressure fluid actuated piston for eflecting relative heightwise movement of the molds and flange forming members to apply pressure substantially normal to the outturned flange, a pump for constantly supplying pres sure fluid to all of said pistons, and means for automatically controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said pistons, said controlling means comprising a plurality of interconnected pressure control and sequence valves adjusted in accordance with the pressures necessary to operate on the upper and to operate the pistons in a predetermined time sequence.

19. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, inner and outer molds for shaping the back part of an upper, a pair of members cooperating with said molds for forming a flange on the lower margin of said back part, a piston for operating said molds, a cylinder housing said piston, a piston for moving the flange forming member laterally and rearwardly of the molds to bend a flange on the lower margin of said back part, a cylinder housing said piston, a piston for moving said flange forming members heightwise of the molds to apply molding pressure substantially normal to the flange, a cylinder housing said piston, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to all of said cylinders to operate said pistons, and means for automatically controlling the supply of pressure fluid to said cylinders, said controlling means being responsive to pressures exerted successively on the upper by the molds and flange forming members for causing the pistons to be operated in the order named, thereby insuring that the flange forming members will move laterally of the molds to bend the flange on the back part before moving heightwise of the molds to apply molding pressure to said flange.

20. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for clamping an end portion of an upper and shaping the same, members for bending an unclamped portion of the upper at an angle to the clamped portion, means for applying pressure to the bent portion of the upper to mold said portion into its bent position, fluid pressure operated means for actuating said molds, fluid pressure operated means for actuating the bending members, fluid pressure operated means for actuating said pressure applying means, a pump for continuously supplying pressure fluid to said fluid pressure operated means, and means interposed between the pump and said fluid pressure operated means for causing the latter to operate their respective molds, bending members and pressure applying means sequentially in the order named, and for thereafter causing said fluid pressure operated means to return said molds, bending members and pressure applying means to inoperative position sequentially but reversely to the order named.

21. A two-station machine for use in shaping shoe tippers having, in combination, molds in each station for shaping the back part of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for bending the lower margin of said back part to form a flange thereon, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating said molds, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating the flange forming members, means for controlling the operation of the fluid pressure operated means in each station and causing said means to operate in a predetermined sequence, and a manually controlled valve for starting the operation of the fluid pressure operated means in either station while simultaneously setting the other station in condition to cause the return of the fluid pressure operated means therein to their inoperative positions.

22. A two-station machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds in each station for shaping the back part of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for bending the lower margin of said back part and forming a flange thereon, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating said molds, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating the flange forming members, means for automatically controlling the operation of the fluid pressure operated means in each station and causing said means to operate in a predetermined sequence, a single control valve for setting the fluid pressure operated means in either station in operation while simultaneously setting the fluid pressure operated means in the opposite station in a condition to retract into inoperative position, a solenoid associated with each station for actuating said control valve, a switch common to both stations and connected to the electrical circuits of the two solenoids, and a switch in each station connected to the circuit of the solenoid therein and the operation of which in one station, together with the operation of the common switch, energizes the solenoid in that station and actuates the control valve to initiate the operation of that station and to set the opposite station in a condition to return the fluid pressureoperated means in said opposite station to their moperauve positions.

23. A two-station machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, a pair of molds in each station for shaping an end portion of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portion, means associated With said members for applying pressure to said flange to mold the same, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating the molds therein, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating the flange forming members, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating the pressure applying means, a valve for putting one station in condition to operate and for setting the other station in condition to release, a solenoid associateo with each station for operating said valve, 9. switch common to both stations and located in an electrical circuit which energizes either of said solenoids, and a switch individual to each station located in the electrical circuit of the solenoid associated with each station, either or" said circuits being closed to operate the corresponding solenoid by the operation of the common switch together with the operation of theindividual switch associated with the station to be operated.

24-. A two-station m chine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in bination, molds in each station for shapng an end portion of an upper, members cooperating with "aid mold for forming a flange on the lower margin of said end portions, fluid pressure operated means in sch station for actuating the molds, fluid pressure operated means in each station for actuating the flange forming members, fluid pressure operated means in each station for applying pressure to the flange to mold the latter into a permanent flange, means in each station for automatically controlling the operation of the fluid pressure operated means in each station and causing them to operate sequentially in a predetermined order, a valve for setting one station in condition to operate and the other station in condition to release and vice versa, a solenoid for each station for actuating said valve, a switch common to both stations for closing one portion of an electrical circuit which energizes either solenoid, and a switch in each station for closing the remainder of said circuit to complete the same and energize the solenoid in each station.

25. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for shaping an end portion of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for bending the lower margin of said end portion to start a flange thereon, means including said members for applying pressure to said flange to mold it permanently in its bent position, a fluid pressure operated piston for actuating said molds, a fluid pressure operated piston for actuating the flange forming members, a fluid pressure operated piston for actuating the pressure applying means, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to said pistons, and means for automatically controlling the pressure fluid supplied to said pistons in accordance with the pressures desired to be exerted on the upper by the molds, flange forming members and pressure applying means, respectively.

26. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for shaping an end portion of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for forming a flange on said end portion, means for applying pressure to said flange to hold it permanently in position, fluid pressure operated pistons for actuating said molds, said flange forming members and said pressure applying means, cylinders housing said pistons, a pump for supplying pressure fluid to said cylinders to operate the pistons, a plurality of sequence valves for automatically controlling the pressure fluid supplied to said cylinders, said means also controlling the exhausting of pressure fluid from said cylinders, and means associated with said controlling means for permitting the cylinder which houses the pressure applying piston to exhaust its pressure fluid quicker than the other cylinders to insure that the pressure applying means will return to inoperative position before the flange forming members and molds return to inoperative position.

27. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers havlng, in combination, molds for shaping an end portion of an upper, members cooperating with said molds for forming a flange on said end portion, means for applying pressure to said flange to mold it permanently in position, a fluid pressure operated piston for actuating each of said molds, flange forming members and pressure applying means, cylinders housing said pistons, a pump for supply1ng pressure fluid to said cylinders to operate said pistons, automatic means for causing the pressure fluid to be supplied to said cylinders in a predetermined sequence, said automatic means also causing the pressure fluid to be exhausted from the cylinders to cause retraction of the pistons in a sequence reverse to that in which the fluid was supplied, and means in addition to the automatic means for elfecting the quick exhaust of the pressure fluid from the pressure applying cylinder, thereby insuring that the pressure applying means will be retracted in said reverse sequence.

28. A machine for use in operating upon work pieces having, in combination, means for supporting a work piece, means cooperating with the supporting means for performing an operation on the work piece, and hydraulically operated means for supporting and actuating the operating means, said hydraulically operated means normally supporting the operating means in a predetermined position relatively to the work supporting means but being arranged to permit said operating means to yield away from said work supporting means in response to pressure from work pieces of diiferent thicknesses.

29. A machine for operating upon work pieces having, in combination, means for supporting a work piece to be operated upon, means movable laterally and heightwise of the supporting means for bending a portion of the work piece toward the supporting means and for thereafter pressing the bent portion of the work piece against said supporting means to form a flange on said work piece, and hydraulically operated means for actuating said movable means, said hydraulically operated means being constructed and arranged also to hold the movable means normally in a predetermined position relatively to the supporting means, to yield and permit said movable means to move away from the supporting means during lateral movement of said movable means under pressure from the work piece, and to cause said movable means to apply non-yielding pressure to the work piece after the lateral movement of said movable means has taken place.

30. A machine for use in operating upon work pieces having, in combination, means for holding a work piece, members cooperating with the holding means for operating upon the work piece, a hydraulically operated piston supporting said members, means for normally locating said piston in a predetermined heightwise position relatively to the holding means, means for supplying liquid to operate said piston, thereby causing the piston to move the operating members into pressure applying relation with the work piece, and means associated with the piston for permitting it to yield away from said predetermined position in response to pressures exerted by work pieces of different thicknesses upon the operating members before liquid is supplied to said piston.

31. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, molds for shaping an end portion of an upper, members movable relatively to said molds for bending a margin of said end portion to form a flange thereon and for thereafter pressing said flange, said members being initially spaced a predetermined distance from said molds, means for moving said members laterally of the molds to bend said margin and form said flange, and hydraulically operated means for moving said members heightwise of the molds to press said flange, said hydraulically operated means being arranged to yield during the lateral movement of the flange forming members to 1compensate for diflerent thicknesses of upper materia s.

32. A machine for use in shaping shoe uppers having, in combination, upper shaping molds, flange forming members cooperating with said molds, hydraulically operated means for actuating said flange forming members, said hydraulically operated means comprising a cylinder, a piston slidable in said cylinder, means for supplying liquid to the cylinder, a plurality of springs carried by said cylinder for normally maintaining the piston at one end of the cylinder, and means for adjusting the position of the piston in said cylinder, said adjusting means being yieldable under pressure to permit the piston to yield under the pressure of the upper against the flange forming members.

33. A machine for operating on shoe parts having, in combination, means for supporting a work piece, means movable laterally and heightwise of said supporting means for bending a portion of the work piece toward the supporting means and for thereafter pressing the bent portion of the work piece against said supporting means, hydraulic means for actuating said movable means, said hydraulic means being constructed and arranged normally to position the movable means a predetermined distance away from said supporting means, to yield heightwise of the supporting means under pressure from a work piece during the lateral movement of the movable means, and to apply positive pressure to the work piece through said movable means after said lateral and yielding movements have taken place.

34. A machine for operating on work pieces having, in combination, means for clamping a work piece to be operated upon, members for bending an unclamped portion of the work piece relatively to the clamped portion and for thereafter pressing the bent portion against the clamping means, and fluid pressure actuated means for operating the bending and pressing members, said lastnamed means being normally arranged to position said members a predetermined distance away from the clamping means, to permit said members to yield away from such position during the bending action of said members under pressure from work pieces of diflerent thicknesses, and to apply positive pressure to the work piece through a liquid pressure medium during the pressure applying stage of its operation.

35, A machine for operating upon work pieces having, in combination, means for clamping a work piece to be operated upon, members movable relatively to the clamping means for bending an unclamped portion of the work piece toward the clamping means and for thereafter pressing the bent portion heightwise against said clamping means, a hydraulically operated piston connected to said movable members for moving them heightw1se to apply pressure to said bent portion, a cylinder housing said piston, positioning means within the cylin- 23 Z24 der for normally locating the piston so that said movable pieces before the non-yielding pressure is applied to the members are positioned a predetermined distance away work piece by said movable members. from the clamping means, means for introducing liquid fill :10 the cg lindtelr to} cause the piston to move said mov- References Cited in the .file of this patent a e mem ers eig twise to press the Work piece against 5 v the clamping means with non-yielding pressure, and resil- UNITED STATES PATENTS ient means associated with said positioning means for Number Name Date permitting the :latter, the piston and said movable mernv2,305,689 Grosset a1. Dec. 22, 1942 bers to yield heightwise under pressure .from thick work 2.379.425 'Duplessis July 3, .1945 

